Rendering of a stand-alone Starbucks restaurant coming to the corner of Hebron Road and Central Parkway in Heath.(Photo: Kent Mallett/The Advocate)

HEATH – Heath Mayor Mark Johns hopes retailers are playing follow-the-leader in deciding where to locate a new business. Maybe it's just coincidence, but several retailers are deciding they want to be in Heath.

Casto, owner of Cross Creek Shopping Center, announced last week it will demolish the former Knights Inn and build a commercial development of two to four buildings, including a restaurant, on Hebron Road.

Now, the mayor announced that Starbucks, Harbor Freight and Big Lots will be opening new businesses in the city, as well.

The mayor admits he is an eternal optimist, contrary to much of the chatter involving the retail industry.

"When I see an H.H. Gregg go out of business, or a Toys R Us, I don't look at it from the standpoint of wringing my hands and getting all worried," Johns said. "I look at it as a new opportunity for new business to come into our community. So, I don't fear the prospect of redevelopment."

Starbucks plans to build a stand-alone restaurant on the corner of Hebron Road and Central Parkway, with access from Central Parkway, directly across from the entrance to Red Lobster, Applebee's and Longhorn Steakhouse.

Harbor Freight, a discount tool and equipment retailer, will occupy two-thirds of the vacant H.H. Gregg building on Hebron Road. The east side of the building, next to Tumbleweed restaurant, will be vacant until a tenant is found. The building will be remodeled, and the Sun TV arch will be replaced by the Harbor Freight logo.

Big Lots will move into the vacant Toys R Us building on 30th Street. The building, purchased by Casto, is being expanded for the Columbus-based retailer, which will offer furniture in the new store. The mayor said he does not know, but would expect the city's existing Big Lots store, in Southgate Shopping Center, to close. The site plan also calls for an out parcel on the south side of the property against 30th Street.

Eric Leibowitz, vice president of development for Casto, said the location near Indian Mound Mall remains attractive, despite the difficulty malls are facing over the country. He cited investments by Dick's Sporting Goods, Big Sandy and the theater remodel at the mall in recent years.

"That's not happening unless there's positives in the area," Leibowitz said. "Hebron Road has some of the highest traffic counts in Licking County. (Toys R Us Property) was priced right and we like real estate in front of the mall."

The mayor agreed that the mall is doing well, and some businesses had a very successful Christmas season.

"Indian Mound Mall is not dying," Johns said. "The businesses there are profitable. If we want our economy and local business to be successful, the people who live in this area need to patronize those businesses."

The mayor said he does not know of any interest in the former Stacey's restaurant location, but the equipment in the building will be put up for auction on May 8.